BY FRANCIS FEMI
For a continent that is torn by forces of religious extremism, accompanied by destruction of lives and property in some countries, especially Nigeria, the commendation by Pope Leo XIV to the delegates of the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) during a recent visit to the Vatican to promote a harmonious relationship between Christians and Muslims; should not have come at a better time. The recurring religiously induced violence in many countries of Africa, including Nigeria, has driven the imperatives on the need to support efforts at building collaborations across religious divides in partnership with leadership and interfaith groups.
The Pope stressed that when religious groups work in unison to promote peaceful co-existence, the common good that is anchored on shared humanity is attained. Receiving members of the group recently, the Pope declared that, “In a world increasingly marked by religious radicalisation, division, and conflict, your common witness shows that it is possible to live and work together in peace and harmony, despite cultural and religious differences”.
Addressing the delegation from PROCMURA, which is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the pan-African religious body founded in 1959, the Pope highly praised the group for fostering fraternity between Christians and Muslims.
The Pontiff further called for mutual understanding and respect for the followers of other religions, affirming that the Catholic Church “rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions,” for they “often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men and women”. Identifying every authentic journey, according to the Pope, toward unity and communion undertaken by Christians and by people of goodwill as the work of the Holy Spirit, he calls on people to have open hearts to embrace one another in genuine fraternity.
The Head of the Catholic Church said ongoing dialogue initiatives serve as a positive sign that is guided by Christ’s love in fostering communion and deepening commitment to Christian-Muslim cooperation for the sake of the common good, noting, “Through such efforts, peace, justice, and hope will increasingly flourish in African societies and beyond. I likewise trust that these encounters will bear fruit through the sharing of grassroots initiatives to promote social friendship, the strengthening of partnerships, and a common discernment of those areas requiring urgent action”.
In a world increasingly marked by religious radicalisation, the Pope noted that “it is possible to live and work together in peace and harmony, despite cultural and religious differences, and to help our people to break free from the chains of prejudice, anger, and hatred; to help them rise above egoism and self-centeredness; to help them overcome the greed that destroys both the human spirit and the earth”.
Nigerian Methodist Bishop and Founder of a not-for-profit organisation, Vision Africa, who is a member of the PROCMURA delegation visiting the Pope, Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, identified the need for leadership to rise up and immediately tackle recurring killings in Africa. Speaking against the backdrop of the Palm Sunday killings in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Bishop Onuoha declared: How can we talk of a banner that is without stain protecting us when the banner is already stained? The blood of the innocent is flowing in Nigeria. People are in pain over those slaughtered as though they are not human beings. Where are the leaders, and where are the men we have entrusted the responsibility of protecting Nigerians? The leadership of this country must rise – and they must rise now – to stop the innocent blood flowing on our streets. Look at women weeping over their children who had been slaughtered. Something must happen, and it has to happen now. If not, Nigeria will be a sad story”.
In promoting the deals behind the establishment of PROCMURA, the objective of the body is anchored in ensuring “an African continent where Christian and Muslim communities work together for justice, peace, and reconciliation, regardless of their religious differences.” The interfaith group, which operates in 20 African countries, has its presence in more than 10 countries, including Nigeria, focuses on several strategic pillars that include peace-building and conflict prevention; Freedom of Religion and Belief; Interreligious Eco-Justice and the empowerment of women and youths through the recognition of women as peacebuilders and protecting youth from manipulation and insulating them from religious extremism through setting up specialised ‘Youth Chapters’.
The pan-African body maintains a “middle way” approach, balancing its interfaith work towards strengthening intra-faith work among diverse Christian denominations that include Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, and African Instituted churches, among others. Without doubt, the message from the Holy Father and the roles played by PROCMURA in dousing the flames of religious violence in African countries provide hope and inspire genuine efforts for combating bloodshed in the name of religion.
Femi wrote in from Kaduna and can be reached at femi2008@gmail.com
